INFORMATION AND CONSULTATION DAY
for Older people and Carers

Introduction

The Information and Consultation Day was planned by four local organisations - Age Concern Romsey and District, Romsey and District Carers Forum, Romsey Sitting Service and Romsey Rehabilitation Team.

All the organisations felt that there was a need

• to gather information about the range of services in the area for older people and carers
• identify the expressed needs of older people and carers in the area
• take appropriate action to promote the development of appropriate services.

In addition, Age Concern and the Carers Forum wanted

• to identify current issues for carers and older people in the locality
• to monitor the services already available
• identify ways of developing and improving them to meet expressed needs.

During the three years leading up to the Information and Consultation Day all the organisations had been hearing, and recording, comments made by older people and carers.

Many of these were linked by common themes but had been made by individuals in different places and at different times. A list of the issues is attached to this report as Appendix 1 and 2.

One of the aims of the day was to find out if any issues raised during the day could be linked with those made prior to the day, and to identify those that should be followed up with a view to developing a wider range of facilities for carers and older people.

AIMS OF THE DAY

To provide an opportunity for carers and older people to

• give their views
• identify any of their needs that are not being met
• suggest ways to meet those needs

To make available information about the range of services available in the area to assist and support carers and older people

To bring people together so that issues common to several people could be identified and used to promote appropriate action to meet gaps between expressed identified needs and service provision available.

RATIONALE

The day was planned to ensure that carers and older people were enabled and empowered to:

• talk with others in the same situation
• discuss the needs they identify for themselves
• have the opportunity to suggest possible solutions and share them with others

The essential components of the day were:

• to listen without imposing ideas or suggesting what older people or carers might like, and to hear what they were saying in a friendly, comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.
• to provide a range information about what is available to ensure older people and carers are able to make realistic and real choices
• to give older people and carers of any age an opportunity to be respected for their wide experience, skills and knowledge

ORGANISATION OF THE DAY

The day was divided into 4 main components:

• Tables for organisations containing a wide range of information, with volunteers available to talk to carers, older people and professionals who attended.
• Three workshops each with a different theme
• Lunch and refreshments
• Ample opportunity for socialising and informal discussion throughout the day

ATTENDANCE

A total of 59 people attended the day. The majority (37) were carers and older people. Others included volunteers, representatives of the Health Authority, Benefits Agency, Romsey Hospital, a range of voluntary organisations in the area and a private organisation offering free home visits to assist older people with aids and equipment.

In addition some older people and carers sent in written comments and there was written feedback on the day – see Appendix 3

There were 11 tables representing:

Age Concern
Benefits Agency
Carers Forum including Alzheimer's Coffee Shop
Carers Together in Hampshire – including Direct Payments
Community Nursing Team – including continence service
PALS service from SUHT
Rehabilitation Team from Romsey Hospital – including EPICS
Restoraid – aids and equipment including free home visiting service
Test Valley Community Service – including Sitting Service, Romsey Friends
General Information including Lifeline, Alternative Therapies, Adult Education
Table holding three statements of information with space for people to make comments and suggestions

Each table had volunteers available to talk to participants and to answer queries about their particular service or business, and several visitors expressed an interest in being included on organisational databases so they could be kept up to date on activities and issues of interest.

LUNCH

An Award for All Grants enabled the free provision of lunch and all refreshments. All reports and feedback said the catering was excellent.

WORKSHOPS

There were three workshops each with a different theme. Each workshop was attended by carers, older people, voluntary organisation representatives, and representatives from the Health Authority, Hospitals – Southampton General and Romsey Hospital and Health Community Staff

WORKSHOP 1

“What equipment and support would help you, or those you care for, stay in your own home for as long as possible?”

WORKSHOP 2

“The NHS is changing at the moment - What health services do you find most beneficial, most worrying, most supportive, most effective and inclusive?”

WORKSHOP 3

“What services would make your life better or less stressful?”